MP Sue Doughty joined parents, staff, governors and other members of the community as the Mayor of Waverley, Brian Ellis, officially opened the playground - the first phase of an ambitious programme to redevelopment the whole grounds.

"It was a very exciting day - a huge celebration all round," said head teacher, Catherine Reynolds.

Earlier, another guest - former head teacher John Reading - returned to unveil a plaque to commemorate his retirement gift to the school, a red oak tree.

The development of the grounds has been made possible through a £10,000 Lotto grant, enabling parents, staff and children to plan for the future.

The aim was to develop an area that, she explained, "would challenge children to invent their own games and stimulate imagination".

The playground, designed by artist-turned-woodsman Tom Leach, was completed last month. Mrs Reynolds said it had been hard to contain the youngsters' excitement, though they were able to organise a rota so everybody could have a fair time to enjoy it.

The second phase of the project, which is expected to take another year to complete, is to develop an outside classroom, complete with science trail and sensory areas that will include a pond and natural habitats to encourage wildlife.